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Updated on
July 16, 2011,
G.R.
asks from
Chula Vista, CA
on
July 15, 2011

Condo Versus Hotel....what Do You Prefer?

Going to Hawaii and looking into both, but have never stayed at a Condo before. It will only be my mom and me so no kiddos. What did you like or not like about staying at either. I love staying at a hotel and having room service and all, but my mom has insomnia and snores so I would like to have a condo because there is a room and a living room and I would be staying on the couch, which is fine. Hotel has a private beach and condo has a five minute drive to the beach. So what do you think? Booking hotel/condo today! Help!

Featured Answers

M.J.
answers from
Sacramento
on
July 15, 2011

In Hawaii, definitely choose the condo. Meals out are very expensive there and having access to a kitchen you can save a lot of money making at least one meal a day there. We had a condo on Maui and loved it. It was run like a hotel, so we still had daily room clean-up, too.

More Answers

K.P.
answers from
New York
on
July 15, 2011

I would go for the condo b/c I know that I like having snacks, drinks and breakfast foods accessible and not costing a fortune on vacation! You may want to see if the hotel has a suite available. It will cost you more, but they typically have a sitting room with a detached bedroom!

In Hawaii, definitely choose the condo. Meals out are very expensive there and having access to a kitchen you can save a lot of money making at least one meal a day there. We had a condo on Maui and loved it. It was run like a hotel, so we still had daily room clean-up, too.

I personally prefer staying in a condo/beach house. I like being able to buy groceries and cook for myself and go out to eat occasionally as a treat. I also like the privacy and accommodations better. Since it's Hawaii, though, and I don't know if you've been there before- a big consideration is how well you handle bugs. I have heard that Hawaii doesn't have a lot of insects but that they do have spiders and huge centipedes so if you're in a condo you are more likely to possibly have to deal with that from time to time. If the idea freaks you out, stay at a hotel. If you could care less the condo might be better. Also, if you stay in a condo, find out if you have to bring your own sheets and towels or if they have them already. Have fun!

You can save a ton of money if you stay in a condo. Instead of hotel breakfasts (which in Hawaii are all buffets at $20/person), you can buy cereal or bread, eggs, etc. Make your own picnic lunch and save even more money - then you can enjoy a nicer dinner out, or more activities! We always stay in a condo and it works out really well for us. Have fun and alooooha!

Check out the Embassy Suites in Waikiki. We stayed there for a week and it was perfect for us. Separate sleeping areas, kitchenette, daily room service, plus a really short walk to the beach. My favorite part was the daily cooked-to-order full breakfast every morning (one less meal to worry about cooking/paying for). I always took a piece of fruit or yogurt up to my room for a snack later too. And my hubby and I definitely took advantage of the managers reception from 5-7 every evening...free snacks, drinks and entertainment by the pool. We had a really nice time!

Which island are you going to? In Maui you can get a place at the Westin kaanapali ocean villas which is a timeshare hotel but it has a condo-like setup with a living room and bedroom. If you go condo route, can't you find a condo on the beach? Driving, even 5 minutes, might be a pain.

Drummers earplugs are a gift from heaven, btw. You can still hear *everything* in perfect detail (like alarm clocks, kids needing help, etc.) but they just "turn the volume down". There are 2 main types: White conical ones, and big fat orange ones. I strongly prefer the conical white ones.

Well, I always look for furnished apartments/condos when I travel with kids so I can have all the comforts of home, and they are usually cheaper. But where you said, "no kiddos", I would go for the hotel. If your mom has insomnia and ends up sleeping through the day, at least you can sneak out and walk to the beach, browse the gift shop etc... And, on the chance she sleeps at night but snores horribly, I would bring ear plugs:)

Condo. I cannot stand hotels. I dont think they clean things right, and never fails, when Im walking around in my underwear, they bust in and want to clean. I dont like people having a key....Especially when Im not there. I have gotten very expensive shoes stolen. I'll clean the place myself thanks.